On November 4^th, 500 Jewish women gathered at Beth Israel for a sold-out Choices. In its 14^th year, Choices is the annual celebration of Women’s Philanthropy, in support of the Federation Annual Campaign, featuring a keynote speaker and a speaker from our local Jewish community.

This year’s event took place just a week after the tragedy in Pittsburgh, which made it feel even more significant for Jewish women to be gathering in the hundreds in a synagogue.

Community speaker Sherri Wise shared her dramatic and harrowing experience of surviving a deadly triple suicide bombing in Israel in 1997. The wisdom and strength Sherri expressed were deeply profound.

Already moved and inspired, attendees then heard the experience of keynote speaker Jeannie Smith’s mother, Irene Gut OpDyke z”l, who saved the lives of a dozen Jews in Poland during the Holocaust by hiding them in a secret room in the home of a Nazi officer, where she worked as his housekeeper.

The event truly showcased the power that one person has to make a difference. Choices also reflects the impact we make as a community. Gathering hundreds of Jewish women together, all of whom have made the choice to support our community, highlights how the impact of our individual actions is magnified when combined with the actions of others.

Kol hakavod to the Choices co-chairs, Sharon Goldman, Alyssa Schottland-Bauman and Jane Stoller, as well as Megan Laskin, chair of Women’s Philanthropy, for an inspiring evening. Many thanks to event sponsors, A&B Party & Event Rentals and Modern Green Canada, for their generous support.

Find photos from Choices on Facebook. If you see yourself, tag yourself!